Pacman: I have the advantage

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao says he's in great shape and will "do my best to give a good fight" when he faces WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a huge pay-per-view rematch billed as 'Unfinished Business' on March 15th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. "It's a big advantage for me that I dropped him already three times in the first fight," Manny admitted today, "but I don't want to get overconfident because I know he's trying to get revenge and win this fight." Pacman also said he rejects the label of 'Mexican Assassin,' a nickname foisted upon him by some in the media due to his string of wins over Mexican stars. "I don't want people to call me 'Mexican Assassin,'" commented Pacquiao. "I'm just a fighter who does my job in the ring and gives a good fight to the fans."

Pacman must charge and gore early

MANILA, Philippines -- Please mark this line 10 days before Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines clashes for the second time with Mexico’s Juan Marquez:
“The bull, as he should be, is dead. The man, as he should be, is alive and with a tendency to smile.”
That’s one of the memorable passages in Ernest Hemingway’s “Death in the Afternoon,” an all-time classic on bullfighting and, yes, life as a whole.
These words by the great American writer, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, came to mind Tuesday morning following a live radio report on dzBB from California by a Filipino correspondent who has covered Pacquiao’s big bouts in the United States.
* * *
It’s trite, it has become almost a cliché, said the correspondent, how Pacquiao trains incredibly hard for yet another fight.
This was the case last year, the year before last, and much, much earlier.
Pacquiao doesn’t mind killing himself in preparing for a fight.
Of course, there were times when he would check in late for training in California.
There were times when he would cram, like last year when he failed to conveniently make the weight in his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera.
* * *
This year, however, there’s no denying Pacquiao has been training hardest in a bid to be at his very best.
OK, there were reports on the ever-growing number of people in Pacquiao’s apartment, how the place has become a virtual theme park.
But Pacquiao, so says the keen-eyed correspondent, has refused to be distracted.
The correspondent added that Pacquiao has assured him there’s no reason to worry about his weight.
No problem whatsoever, everything is going splendidly, on schedule.
* * *
This in itself -- meaning the lingering fear of excess poundage -- has been licked ahead.
Indeed, we’ve got to believe what Pacquiao has sworn -- that he would breeze through the weighing scales this time.
No, he did not claim he has a better training camp than Marquez, who checked into his mountain hideaway in Mexico a full month earlier than Pacquiao did (at the Wild Card Gym) in Los Angeles.
Despite the one-month gap, Marquez cannot be expected to have an edge in physical preparedness -- if we are to believe what Pacquiao and his handlers have been claiming.
Add to this the fact that Pacquiao, as shown in his recent outings, has also developed into a two-fisted wonder, a far cry from the one-track southpaw who got peppered bloody and was forced to a draw by Marquez four years ago.
* * *
Pacquiao, at 29, could be at his peak while Marquez at 34 may, well, not be too many years away from retirement.
Of course, we also have to take note of what Marquez has claimed that, at 34, he now feels as young and strong as he was when he was only 25.
Meanwhile, odds favoring Pacquiao are expected to soar as the big fight nears.
Still, there remain sharp, seasoned fight fans who have stuck it out with Marquez from the start.
Their reason: Pacquiao may have indeed learned and added new shots and moves to his arsenal.
But, at the same time, there are crucial mistakes he has not managed to correct and may not be able to unlearn until March 15.
These flaws, these same experts noted, are serious defensive lapses.
These are shortcomings that could inevitably leave Pacquiao leading the role of a raging bull against Marquez, a master matador.
The bull, as his assigned role, must charge, connect and gore early in order to reverse the time-honored tradition in the usually uneven contest.

Marquez No Match for Pacquiao's Barrage

San Francisco, CA. -- "The best conditioned Manny Pacquiao will face Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15" the Filipino boxing hero crowed as he met the press on his first Bay Area visit since his torturous draw with Agapito Sanchez at the Civic Center. Even with a torpid recollection of that bloody fight wherein the Dominican roughneck tried robbing him of his newly acquired title -- Pacquiao wants another pugnacious scrap in his pet city by the bay. And in an outright dig at Marquez' brag of a more rounded training for their rematch, Pacquiao insists his trainers are far more superior and as such have negated whatever advantages the Mexican champ gained by his early start. So then, both warriors are in shape--their best- ever conditioning brought about by their exacting workouts. Expect a barn-burner when these intrepid boxers collide at Mandalay Bay Events Center in glitzy Vegas. This is a must-see thriller made compelling by their mutual enmity engendered by their drawn match four years back. Since that disputed draw at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao has matured while Marquez aged. Marquez turns 35 in August and whether he admits it or not, this pesky item places him in a situation that entails difficulty for the aging fighter A clear-cut winner will emerge in the 'unfinished business' featuring today's remarkable talents in the junior lightweight division. Manny Pacquiao who is not only strong but skillful as well remains the favorite in the posted odds at various betting centers.(Illegal bookies included) Any of the two combative warriors digging too big a hole in the early rounds will find it tough recovering lost ground. And who'll pocket all the marbles in this awaited return bout? It will be highly unlikely for the Mexican defending champ to upset the Filipino lefty who's on a roll -- on a tear, if you please with a ten win streak. Pacquiao has been ruthlessly productive since losing to Eric Morales. Unless Marquez starts growing steroid-laden hormones (quite late in the day right?), Pacquiao will have his butt whupped when the battle smoke clears at the Mandalay. Sorry Juan Manuel but it will take a lot more than a great camp to overcome the smooth rhythm of the power punchin' Pacman.

Bayless, not Cortez, named ref

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez should both be satisfied that Kenny Bayless is going to be the third man on the ring during their March 15 contest in Las Vegas.
Bayless, for one, is a top-notch referee often described as a “decent” one. He had worked 363 fights over the last 15 years, and has refereed 43 world title fights.
Bayless, of Nevada, was the same referee who counted out Erik Morales in the 10th round of a 2006 match with Pacquiao, their second of three fights, in Las Vegas.
Bayless said he doesn’t find any problem working a Pacquiao fight because he always knew that the Filipino, despite his very aggressive style, is a “clean fighter.”
Marquez said more than a month ago that he preferred anybody but Joe Cortez for his WBC super-featherweight title defense against Pacquiao.
The Mexican champ said he didn’t like the way Cortez, one of the finest in the business, worked a few of his fights, including the one against Pacquiao in 2004.
Marquez said he’d file a protest if Cortez would be named the referee for this coming fight.
The Pacquiao camp, particularly trainer Freddie Roach, feels the same way, too, claiming that Cortez erred during the first Pacquiao-Morales fight, when he called a head-butt a Morales punch.
It will only be the second time Bayless, who refereed the Mayweather-De la Hoya bout in 2007, Mosley-Vargas in 2006 and Hopkins-De la Hoya in 2004, will work a Pacquiao fight.
He was in Manila for the WBC Convention last November.
Bayless, a protégé of the famous Richard Steele, has also worked a Marquez fight just once. It was in 1999 when the Mexican faced Argentina’s Remigio Daniel Molina.
Marquez won that one, a featherweight bout held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, when he stopped Molina in the eighth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.
Both Pacquiao and Marquez should be hoping for a similar result with Bayless around.
Also named by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to work the awaited rematch at Mandalay Bay were judges Jerry Roth, Duane Ford and Dick Flaherty.
Roth has penned three Pacquiao fights – against Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001, Morales in 2006 and Marco Antonio Barrera last October; Ford only once, the third Morales fight; and Flaherty never.

KONTING TIIS NA LANGBy Manny Pacquiao

LOS ANGELES -- Hello everyone, I hope everything is fine. If you are going to ask me how I am feeling and what is going on with my training, I would like to let everyone know that I am doing very well. Umabot na po ako sa pinakamahirap na yugto ng aking training at gusto ko lang na ipaalam sa lahat na nalampasan ko na ang mga matitinding pagsubok na nasa harapan ko. Masaya po ang aking coaching staff na binubuo ni Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez at Nonoy Neri at ang conditioning coach ko na si Eric Brown sa ipinakita kong lakas, bilis at stamina. Konti pa, matatamo ko na ang isang perfect condition. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa loob ng ilang linggong paghahanda para sa laban namin ni Juan Manuel Marquez sa March 15, tinapos ko ang 12 rounds ng sparring kontra sa tatlong boxer na naghalinhinan. Noong Martes at Huwebes, nag-spar ako ng tig-11 rounds. Nitong Sabado, limang rounds ang tinapos ni Rey Beltran, apat kay Juan Garcia at tatlo kay David Rodela. I felt good after sparring 12 rounds and I think I am peaking at the right time. I am training very hard for this match and I promise to give all boxing fans a very good fight. Kayo pong lahat ang aking inspirasyon. Para sa laban na ito, ang paghahanda ko ay masasabi kong isa sa pinakamatindi sa lahat, kung hindi ito na ang pinakamatindi sa loob ng 13 taon ko na sa sport. Sa pagmamatyag ng aking team, binabantayan namin ang aking timbang at kundisyon para matiyak na nasa 100 percent ako sa araw ng laban. Plano kong tapusin ang 130 hanggang 140 rounds ng sparring hanggang sa pababa na ako ng rounds ng sparring sa huling linggo ng training sa Las Vegas, gaya ng nakaugalian na namin. Mahirap para sa isang boxer ang ma-over train kaya tinatantiya ko ang sarili kong kakayahan at lakas para hindi ako mag-peak na maaga. Excited na po ako kahit na mahirap pa rin ang aking tatahaking landas sa susunod na dalawang linggo ng training. Kayo pong lahat ang dahilan kung bakit halos pinapatay ko ang sarili ko sa insayo. Ito po ang palagi kong sinasabi sa lahat ng mga boksingero na gustong sumunod sa aking mga yapak: Na kapag handa ka sa laban, wala kang kinakatakutan. Kapag matibay ang iyong katawan at pag-iisip at may pananalig ka sa Diyos, mas madali ang pagtamo ng tagumpay. Minsan ko na naman pong hihingin ang inyong panalangin para sa ikatatagumpay nating lahat. Konting tiis na lang, konting sakripisyo pa. Sana po, mapanood ninyo ang aking laban dahil ibibigay ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya, ibubuhos ko ang lahat ng aking lakas para lamang pag-isahin kahit na sa isang sandali ang ating bayan na unti-unti na namang nagkakawatak-watak. Sana po, magkaisa tayong lahat sa pagsulong, hindi sa pagsira ng ating ekonomiya. Hanggang sa muli, sa susunod na Kumbinayon! God bless us all.

Roach says Pacquiao can finish off rival

Freddie Roach doesn’t see Juan Manuel Marquez getting up if and when the Mexican champion goes down on the floor this time against Manny Pacquiao.
“I think if he (Pacquiao) puts him (Marquez) down now, he’ll keep him down,” said Roach as he looked forward to a big finish favoring his Filipino boxer.
Roach looked back at the May 2004 bout between Pacquiao and Marquez who went down thrice in the opening round but still managed to salvage a draw. (Related story on A-28)
Roach said that shouldn’t happen this time.
“I think he (Pacquiao) is bigger and stronger. He’s just a much bigger person now,” Roach said in an article that came out of philboxing.com yesterday.
Pacquiao and Marquez first met at 126 lbs. This time, the weight limit is pegged at 130 lbs, with the Mexican putting his WBC super-featherweight crown on the line.
“I think he’s a 90 percent better fighter. He’s smarter, more experienced. He sets things up. He has two hands now. I think he’s a much better fighter than the first time they fought,” said Roach.
Marquez, almost five years older at 34, also vowed to knock out Pacquiao.
Roach also said that win or lose, this should be Pacquiao’s last fight as a super-featherweight.
“Definitely, this will be his last fight at 130,” said Roach, adding that promoter Bob Arum has already lined up two fights for Pacquaio at a higher class.
Up next for Pacquiao, granting that he beats Marquez, is WBC lightweight (135 lbs) champion David Diaz on June 21 in Macau, then possibly Ricky Hatton at 140 lbs.
But before he starts thinking of moving up, Pacquiao should first bring Marquez down.Page: 1 -->

manny pacquiao public workout

PACQUIAO SAYS MARQUEZ CAN’T HANDLE HIS POWER

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, exuding confidence during an open public workout at the Titanium Training Center in San Francisco says that WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez won’t be able to handle his power when they clash in a much awaited rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on March 15. Pacquiao, the devastating punching machine from General Santos City in Mindanao, received a fantastic reception from hundreds of fight fans who rocked the bay area with excitement. Many young families with children jam-packed the center to watch Pacquiao put on an awesome display like he did when Top Rank promoter Bob Arum watched him work out at the Wild Card Gym last week which Arum described as "unbelievable" emphasizing that "nobody in the world can beat Manny Pacquiao when he trains hard and his totally focused" which he is right now. In a conversation with scores of media people who crowded around him Pacquiao said “I am very serious about this fight as I know Marquez is the last great Mexican to beat. There is no more (Erik) Morales or (Marco Antonio) Barrera. I have a lot of power. In my heart I don’t believe Marquez can stand up to my power. It will be too much for him to overcome.” Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach who earlier told us that he had drawn up an “attack plan” where an "excellent, beautiful" right hand has been added to his offensive arsenal for the Marquez rematch, was clearly elated over the fact that Pacquiao kept his word and showed up at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles two months before the fight. Roach said that was “the best thing Manny did.” Roach said Pacquiao has “worked very hard and has been very tough on his sparring partners.” Roach revealed that one sparring partner got hit on the chin, went down, continued but went home the next day.” Roach said both he and Pacquiao were not taking Marquez lightly. He said Pacquiao “is very serious about Marquez which he should be. It is a difficult fight and Manny understands that. Marquez represents the last line of defense in Manny’s domination of Mexican champions. We know he (Marquez) is prepared to go down swinging.” Pacquiao said he had “never trained harder – never – for a fight.” He confirmed what Roach had told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in an earlier overseas telephone conversation that he “hit the mitts with Freddie Roach for 17 straight rounds with no timeouts." Pacquiao disclosed that he " runs high in the mountains every day and then goes to the Wild Card and train three hours non-stop. I don’t like timeouts while training and do not use them.” Broadcaster Hermie Rivera who lives in San Francisco said “it was absolute bedlam” as scores of journalists, TV crews and adoring fans jostled to get a glimpse of perhaps the most exciting fighter in the world today who is considered by many as the No.1 pound-for-pound but lies second to undefeated Floyd Mayweather with Marquez now in third spot in the Ring Magazine ratings. Aside from the WBC super featherweight title the prestigious Ring Magazine championship belt will also be at stake in a fight card billed "Unfinished Business."

I Love San Francisco

LOS ANGELES —- A pleasant day to all of you, I hope everyone is doing well. Ako po, okay lang, masaya at malusog ang pangangatawan at pag-iisip at excited na sumabak sa laban sa March 15 sa Las Vegas. Kababalik lang po namin mula sa aking media day sa San Francisco noong Miyerkules at masaya po ako na bumalik dito sa lugar na kung saan una ako tumapak sa America. Sobrang daming tao ang sumalubong sa akin, kasama na dito ang mga kinatawan ng media, mga fans at mga kaibigan. Hindi ko lubos maisip na halos pitong taon na pala ang nakararaan mula nung una akong dumating dito sa America. Naaalala ko, batang-bata pa ako noon at puno ng pangarap. Halos wala pang nakakakilala sa akin dito sa America dahil lahat ng laban ko ay ginanap sa Pilipinas at Asia. Ito po ang masasabi ko: I love San Francisco. Masarap magbalik-tanaw sa pinanggalingan. Sabi nga nila, ang taong hindi marunong tumanaw kung saan ka nanggaling ay hindi makakarating sa dapat na paroroonan. Naniniwala po ako sa kasabihan na iyan kaya naman po hindi pa rin ako nagbabago sa aking pakikitungo sa mga tao kahit na marami kung minsan ang nanloloko sa akin at umaabuso sa kabaitan ko. Noong May 2001, pumunta kami ng dati kong manager na si Rod Nazario dito sa America upang harapin ang kapalaran na darating pa lamang sa aking buhay. Sa San Francisco lumapag ang eroplano namin galing ng Pilipinas at tumira kami pansamantala sa bahay ni Kuya Boying, anak ni Rod. Sa mga tabing daan ako tumatakbo sa umaga. Ako lang mag-isa noon, wala pa akong mga kasama sa jogging na tutulong o gagabay sa akin. Wala pa akong fan base na matatawag dahil hindi pa ako napapanood sa American TV kahit na minsan. At nangyari po ang dapat mangyari. Nagkita kami ni coach Freddie Roach nang pumunta kami sa Los Angeles habang naghahanap kami ng isang magaling na trainer. Kasabay nito ang isa sa pinakamalaking break ng aking career: Bigla pong naisingit ako sa undercard ng laban ni Oscar De La Hoya vs Javier Castillejo, sa isang pay-per-view event. Sa loob lamang ng dalawang linggo, tinanggap namin na labanan ang kinakatakutan at iniiwasang kampeon ng IBF super-bantamweight division na si Lehlohonolo Ledwaba ng South Africa. Kasama ko pong naghanda sa laban si “Tatay” Ben Delgado at si coach Freddie at ang cutman na si Ruben Gomez at marami ang nagsabi na hindi ako makakalusot sa Aprikano dahil ayaw siyang labanan noong panahon na iyon ng maraming kampeon. Actually, I was a last-minute substitute because Ledwaba’s supposed opponent backed off. Kung iisipin nga naman ang kapalaran ng tao, malayo na po ang aking narating mula nang talunin ko si Ledwaba noong June 23, 2001 sa MGM Grand Hotel sa Las Vegas. Sa laban namin ni Juan Manuel Marquez sa Las Vegas, nandoon pa rin ang batang walang-takot na kumakasa kahit kanino. Lalaban pa rin ang batang nanggaling sa flyweight (112 pounds) division, na ngayon ay sumasabak na sa timbang na 130 pounds. May tinuturing na respetableng journalist sa Manila na nagsasabi na may problema daw ako sa pagkuha ng timbang na 130 pounds. Sinasabi pa niya na ako raw ay tumitimbang ng 138.5 pounds noong Sunday, ayon sa kaniyang source na di umano’y galing sa loob ng aking apartment. Isa lang po ang masasabi ko sa manunulat na iyan. Dapat lang na huwag siyang paniwalaan dahil walang basehan ang kanyang sinusulat. Matagal na po ako sa larangan ng boksing at walang taong mas nakakakilala sa aking pagkatao kundi ako rin. Wala po kayong dapat ikabahala sa aking timbang. Everything is under control, no problem! I will easily make the 130-pound limit. Masasabi kong sinungaling ang writer na iyan dahil hindi naman ako nagtimbang noong Sunday. Hay naku, ang mga tao nga naman. Sana po ay magkaisa tayo at magsama-sama sa pagdasal sa tagumpay ng bawat isa. Sana po, iwasan na natin ang crab mentality para sabay-sabay ang pag-unlad natin bilang isang bansa, isang lahi, isang diwa. Hanggang sa muling Kumbinasyon! GOD BLESS.

ROACH: PACQUIAO HAS NO WEIGHT PROBLEM

Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach says Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao is “doing great. With three weeks to go he’s six pounds overweight (136) and that’s no problem” easing concerns over the possibility that Pacquiao may have to reduce weight in a hurry to make the 130 pound limit. There have been reports that Pacquiao was hovering around 139-140 pounds and was eating a lot but Roach appeared confident his prized fighter would make the super featherweight limit for his eagerly awaited opportunity to finish some “Unfinished Business” against reigning WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on March 15. He said "six pounds in three weeks is “easy to handle.” Roach said “I never saw him (Manny) this focused and he is training very, very well.” The trainer said he was adding a fifth sparring partner for Pacquiao, bringing in the opponent of WBC lightweight champion David Diaz on the “Unfinished Business” fight card at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino, Pacquiao is scheduled to move up in weight and fight Diaz for his 135 pound title in late June in Asia's gambling capital Macau before taking on Britain's Ricky "Hitman" Hatton in November if plans do not miscarry. Pacquiao's latest sparring partner, 25 year old Ramon Montano, has a record of 14-3-2. He scored a split ten round decision over Cristian Favela last October 5. Favela is the same fighter who lost an eight round unanimous decision to Filipino southpaw Czar Amonsot on February 3, 2006. Roach said Montano “fights like Marquez a little bit so he will give Manny a very, very good workout.” Among the other sparring partners are Daniel Cervantes, Raymond Beltran, David Rodela and undefeated Juanito Garcia who also fights somewhat like Marquez. Roach said he was very happy with the way Manny was progressing and said “we have to be a little bit careful because he wants to overwork. We are averaging fifty three rounds a day and he wants to do more and more and more.” In his latest workout Roach disclosed that Pacquiao did 16 rounds on the mitts non –stop, working right through the rest period.” Roach said the right hand which they have been developing in Pacquiao’s last few fights was “excellent, beautiful.” At the same time Roach said Marquez “better be in top condition” for their rematch. Responding to statements by Marquez that he would be more aggressive this time around instead of merely counter-punching, Roach said “I hope so. I hope so. If he comes to us it will make a more exciting fight for everybody.”

Pacquiao going the way of Erik Morales?

MANILA, Philippines -- Here's heartwarming info for countless avid fans who die to hear great news about Manny Pacquiao.
Manny has been eating heartily every day, with no worries whatsoever.
That comes straight from the well-stocked Pacquiao kitchen at his classy apartment in California.
That also confirms how strong and hefty Pacquiao feels at this stage in training for his next big fight.
Now, to the same fans who would react and claw at hints about something wrong with their idol, here's the latest bulletin on Pacquiao's weight.
"Manny still overweight at 138 and a half, kain pa rin nang kain."
* * *
That advice registered via text messaging from Pacquiao's place at the Palazzo residences, sent by one honest, nosy Team Pacquiao insider.
It's obvious our informant, who forwarded the info Sunday, did it with great reluctance.
But, at the same time, the fellow must've felt bringing the Pacquiao poundage problem in the open could help serve as timely warning for the national boxing idol to seriously attend to his weight.
"Delicado siya kay Marquez (He'll be in great danger against Marquez.)" our informant added in the same text message.
Needless to say, WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who Pacquiao meets in a rematch on March 15, has had his poundage in check well ahead of schedule.
The Mexican world 130-pound ruler checked in at 133 last week, the same time Pacquiao registered 139 lb.
* * *
That's it. There's no news on how much Marquez weighed Sunday but it's safe to guess he must be coasting, careful not to hit peak form ahead.
Of course, we all have to trust what trainer Freddie Roach has repeatedly claimed: that everything looks great in Pacquiao's current regimen.
There's a strong likelihood Pacquiao may have to cram, cut down on food intake drastically, as the weigh-in nears.
But that seems to be the least of Mr. Roach's worries.
What the famous trainer wanted everybody to know is this: Pacquiao is raring to score a knockout come March 15 in Las Vegas.
* * *
The way Roach sounds, Pacquiao is red-hot, fully armed.
Roach wants everybody to know that Pacquiao can mangle and devastate Marquez if the bout takes place tomorrow.
Well, maybe Roach sees no problem about Pacquiao trampling Marquez promptly.
But, hey, this could be done only if Pacquiao would no longer be required to wage an even grimmer battle against the weighing scales.
With all the unwanted poundage, whams of indiscretion ganging up on his physique, Pacquiao now appears headed for his biggest test.
Going down to the 130-lb limit promises to be a killing task.
It could also make or break the Pacman.
* * *
So the inimitable Bob Arum foresees record profits both for Pacquiao and his promotional outfit, with the March 15 bout being touted as top candidate for Fight of the Year.
Meanwhile, it might help if Arum also returns to his diary to check on the days leading to the second fight of Pacquiao against Erik Morales.
Given the lessons of that Morales defeat, they should be able to come up with timely corrections in Pacquiao's regimen.
At least they are not yet at that point when Arum, cramming with Morales, had had to inflict Velocity, a flamboyant but untried weight-reducing system that ultimately led to the third-round demolition of the Mexican ring great in his third meeting with Pacquiao in 2006.
* * *
Yes, Arum could be of help only if he is able to warn Pacquiao that he must have reached a point when his body has started to betray him.
Arum had seen a good number of fighters, the last of them being Morales, agonize through the unforgiving grinder.
Sorry, the latest news shows that Pacquiao, great as he is, is no exception.
The developments definitely did not sound good to countless Pacquiao admirers.
But, with a humbler plot, they should be able to save Pacquiao from unscheduled destruction.

Mabilis Na Ang Tibok Ng Aking Puso

LOS ANGELES -- Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. I hope everyone is doing well. O kay bilis talaga ng panahon, hindi natin namamalayan, tatlong linggo na lang at Fight Night na! Pabilis na nang pabilis ang tibok ng puso ko habang papalapit na nang papalapit ang laban namin ni Juan Manuel Marquez. Sa mga taong nakakakilala sa akin, hindi po ako kinakabahan excited lang talaga ako kaya bumibilis ang pintig ng puso ko. I am really excited in this rematch with Marquez. I know he is going to be 100 percent coming into this fight as I am also giving everything in training. Pareho po kami nag-insayo ng matindi at sa tingin ko, magkakatalo na lamang kami sa strategy at sa pabilisan ng diskarte sa itaas ng ring. I expect Juan Manuel to come in prepared and ready to defend his title but I am also hungry to settle our Unfinished Business, once and for all. So far, everything is under control, everyone is happy in my team and I am in my best shape. I am also reaching my peak at the right time so I expect to give everyone a good show on March 15. Sana po, mapanood ninyo ako sa Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel sa Las Vegas o di kaya sa pay-per-view o sa mga sinehan at sa regular TV diyan sa Pilipinas. Nitong linggong nagdaan, tinapos ko po ang 30 rounds ng sparring, tig-10 sa bawat araw ng Martes, Huwebes at Sabado at sa pagdating nitong susunod na linggo, mag-iispar na ako ng 12-rounds kontra sa apat o limang sparring partners ko. Itong linggo na ito, may nadagdag na kalaban sa sparring, isang lightweight fighter na nagngangalang Ramon Montano, kapangalan nung dating heneral ng ating republika. Si Montano ang makakalaban ni David Diaz, ang WBC lightweight champion, sa aming undercard. Isa po si Diaz sa mga napipisil na susunod kong kalaban kung malulusutan ko si Marquez pero makakaasa kayo na ang buong focus ko ay nakatuon kay Marquez at wala nang iba. Inaasahan kong makukumpleto ko ang 130 to 140 rounds ng sparring pagkatapos nitong susunod na dalawang linggo at bago kami tumungo sa Las Vegas kasama ng aking asawang si Jinkee at ng buo kong team at mga kaibigan. Natutuwa rin po ako dahil ang aking kapatid na si Bobby ay sasabak sa March 13 kontra kay Urbano Antillon, isang Mexicano na may 21-0 record. Naniniwala ako na malaki ang tsansa ng aking kapatid kahit na wala pang talo itong si Antillon na naka-spar ko na rin dati. Ginagabayan ko palagi itong si Bobby, kasama at kasabay ng training namin. Si Diosdado Gabi naman ay sasabak sa aking undercard kalaban din ang isang sumisibol na Mexicano na si Abner Mares, 15-0. Kahit na medyo matagal na mula nang huling lumaban si Gabi, alam kong nasa kanya ang puso at kakayahan na pigilan ang Mexicano na wala pang talo. Dalawa pang Pinoy boxer, sina Aaron Melgarejo at Ernel Fontanilla, ay sasagupa rin sa Mexicanong boksingero. Si Aaron ay isang Philippine champion na inaalagaan ko. Malapit sa akin ang dalawa dahil lubos na naniniwala ang aking assistant trainer na si Buboy Fernandez sa kanilang kakayahan. Unang laban pa lamang ni Ernel at Aaron dito sa America at sa tingin ko, may ibubuga itong mga batang ito. Sigurado pong umaatikabong bakbakan ang magaganap sa kalagitnaan ng Marso dahil maraming Pilipinong boksingerong lalaban at halos Philippines versus Mexico na ang labanan. Pilipinas, walang kukurap! Sana ay magkaisa po tayong lahat tungo sa tagumpay at inaasahan po namin ang inyong dasal at suporta. Mabuhay tayong lahat. Hanggang sa muling Kumbinasyon.

Pacman sees no problem meeting 130 lb weight

As he enters the most crucial phase of his training, Manny Pacquiao has quashed any concern regarding his weight for the March 15 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.
“We will make the weight. No problem,” said Pacquiao as quoted by Hermie Rivera, one of his constant companions in Los Angeles.
Reports coming out of LA last week, barely a month before the fight, placed Pacquiao at 139 lbs compared to Marquez’ 133 lbs, which is just a little over the super-featherweight limit of 130.
Pacquiao is in the peak of his two-month training, and after three more heavy workouts next week, should begin tapering off before he travels to Las Vegas less than a week before the fight.
Pacquiao spars on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Wild Card Gym. Last Tuesday he did 10 rounds against Ramon Montano, Juanito Garcia and Raymundo Beltran.
Pacquiao, according to Rivera, a respected Pinoy boxing analyst, is expected to top the 100 rounds of sparring prepared by trainer Freddie Roach.
“At the rate he’s reaching peak form, Pacquiao is executing with ease the drills being imparted by his excellent crew. A well-conditioned challenger will answer the call of Marquez,” he said.
While Pacquiao is in LA, Marquez is doing his thing in Mexico, and based on the calendar is almost a month ahead of Pacquiao in training, saying he normally trains three months for a big fight.
“In the ring there is no such thing as a easy fight or a small challenge, and I keep that in mind and base my philosophy on that when I am preparing for a fight,” Marquez told the Mexican press.
For the last two months now, Marquez has done nothing but train.
His day starts at 4 a.m. with a one-hour run at the snow-covered mountains of Toluca, a few hours of sleep in his home, nutritious breakfast by 9 a.m., gym work at 1 p.m., and back home at 5 p.m. to rest with his family, and dinner of chicken, fish, vegetables and fruits. Lights are out at 9 p.m.

THREE KNOCKDOWN RULE KAYOED

JUST like in their first outing, the contentious three-knockdown rule will not be in effect when Manny Pacquiao meets Juan Manuel Marquez for the second time.
In an email, World Boxing Council (WBC) secretary-general Mauricio Sulaiman said the 12-round championship rematch between Marquez and Pacquiao will be using the Unified Rules of the influential Association of Boxing Commission.
“That rule will not be in effect. The USA commission does not allow any other rule except the unified rules,” said Sulaiman, son of longtime WBC president Jose Sulaiman.In their first encounter back in May 2004, Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the opening round of their 12-round world featherweight championship held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Had the three knockdown rule enforced at that time, Pacquiao would have been declared winner by technical knockout.

Marquez however took advantage of the ruling as he miraculously salvaged a 12-round split draw to keep his International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) 126-lb belts while Pacquiao managed to keep his reputation as the division’s Peoples champion.
In that fight Judge Burt Clements was unaware that he could score a round 10-6 for the fighter who scored three knockdowns. Clements thought the Nevada Athletic Commission did not want its judges to score a round 10-6.
Judge John Stewart called the fight 115-110 for Pacquiao, Guy Jutras called it 115-110 for Marquez. Clements scored the fight 113-113 making it a draw. The official scorecards showed that had Clements scored the first round 10-6 Pacquiao would have won.
The commission said there is no rule that covered the situation and no grounds for a protest because it was a judgment call.
This coming March 15, Marquez and Pacquiao will clash for the Mexican’s WBC world super featherweight belt.
Meanwhile, Filipino boxer Vernie Torres said that Pacquiao is unperturbed about the latest controversy bugging the Filipino boxing superstar’s out-of-ring circumstances.
“Hindi naman siya apektado sa ngayon kasi focus siya sa laban niya kay Marquez,” said Torres “Alam ni Manny kung gaano ka-importante and laban kaya hindi niya muna iniintindi yung kaso.”
Last week Pacquiao again hugged the limelight after an amount of $180,000 was reportedly withdrawn from one of his bank accounts by one of his supposed trusted staff.
The wife of Pacquiao’s driver Joseph Jose is being tagged as the culprit, identified as Pia Quijada who reportedly forged the superstar boxer’s signature.
Sources from Los Angeles revealed that what is puzzling police who are investigating the case is that Pacquiao claims he was not aware of the bank account that totaled $200,000.
Quijada’s mother who also lives in LA has sought forgiveness from Pacquiao and told the boxer that the money was used for the education of the suspect’s children.
Another thing baffling investigators is the reported move of Pacquiao to drop the case.
According to Torres, Pacquiao is leaving everything to police investigators handling the case.
As for Pacquiao’s training, Torres said American trainer Freddie Roach has so far assembled an array of sparring partners in anticipation of possible adjustments Marquez might utilize come fight time.

Roach watches Pacquiao and says he’s impressed

Freddie Roach likes what he sees whenever Manny Pacquiao trains at the Wild Card Boxing Club in preparation for the Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15.
"I haven’t seen him this excited since the first time that he fought (Marco Antonio) Barrera (in late-2003)," Roach told scribe Brad Cooney of boxingtalk.net last Monday.
"He’s doing very well. I have been running with him in the morning, well…I have been running behind him in the morning, and I can’t keep up with him," said Roach, who is readying Pacquiao for three eventualities.
"I have a strong guy to press Manny, I got a counter-puncher, and I got a guy that will run, all to give Manny different looks. We know the keys to victory, and we’ll show you what they are on fight night."
Pacquiao’s sparmates are David Rodela, Juan Garcia and Daniel Cervantes, and they all make Pacquiao work out a sweat on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
A Marquez copycat is set to join the team to help Pacquiao get use to the Mexican’s smooth boxing style.
By the time Pacquiao heads to Las Vegas a week before the fight, he would have already logged 120 rounds of sparring.
Roach said they are looking at winning the fight with Marquez being put down for good.
"We are going for the knockout. We have all intentions of knocking him out. After Manny’s last two fights, we need to fight a great fight…If Manny gets Marquez down this time, he’ll keep him down," added Roach.
Pacquiao sent Marquez down thrice in the first round the first time they met in May 2004 but the Mexican kept on getting up.
The bout ended a 12-round split draw as Marquez banked on his counter-punching skills in the remainder.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao will train at the Titanium Training Center on Polk St. in San Francisco next week as part of his job to promote the Marquez rematch. He will likely be brought to the Bay Area by a private jet that Top Rank chief Bob Arum is going to lease for one day.

'With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility'

LOS ANGELES — Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. I hope everyone is doing well. Palagi ko pong binabanggit itong kasabihang ito: “With great power comes great responsibility,” isang kasabihang nagpapahiwatig ng malaking pinapasan ng mga taong may malaking responsibilidad sa buhay. Inilalagay ko ito palagi sa aking isipan dahil hindi ko pwedeng pabayaan na mahulog ako sa patibong ng pagsikat at kapangyarihan. Maraming mga tao ang minsan ay nalunod sa tawag ng pera at sa mga tuksong kasama nitong kaginhawaan sa buhay. Naalala ko ito dahil sa mga nababasa at naririnig ko sa internet tungkol sa maliliit na bagay na hindi dapat pagtuunan ng pansin sa panahon na ito. Ito ay tungkol sa nawawalang pera na nasa bangko ko. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na dapat ay ipagwalang-bahala ko ang nangyari sa akin. Mahalaga para sa akin at sa aking pamilya na makamit ang hustisya dahil ang perang nawawala ay pinaghirapan ko rin at para sa kinabukasan ng aking mga mahal sa buhay. Maraming mga tao ang hindi nakakaunawa na may mas malaking responsibilidad na nakatuon sa aking mga balikat at dapat nandito naka-focus ang buo kong oras at lakas. Hindi ko dapat pabayaan ang paghahanda ko sa nalalapit kong laban sa March 15 kontra kay Juan Manuel Marquez sa Las Vegas . Maraming mga tao ang gustong mawala ako sa focus at concentration at sa kasamaang-palad, iyong mga kababayan ko pa ang gumagawa nito. Noong isang linggo, isinulat ko sa column na ito ang isang request na sana , huwag na akong gambalain ng mga taong walang kinalaman sa kaso dahil ito ay isang pribadong bagay. Marami pa rin ang “pasaway” na gustong makialam at kabilang na dito ay dalawang tao na hindi ko na rin babanggitin ang pangalan. Wala akong ipinag-utos sa mga tao na ipaalam sa buong mundo o ipahiya ang mga nasasakdal sa kaso. Ako nga, hindi na nagbanggit ng mga pangalan dahil wala sa aking ugali na magtanim ng sama ng loob kahit kaninuman dahil ako’y isang tao lamang na nagkakasala rin. Gayunpaman, sa mahinahon kong pakiusap sa aking mga kasama ay ginawa pa rin nila ang hindi ko gustong mangyari dahil katulad ng sinabi ko, naapektuhan ang kunsintrasyon ko o focus sa training at sa laban. At higit sa lahat, gusto ko lang ipaalam sa inyong lahat na hindi porke’t may jacket kang Team Pacquiao ay pwede mo nang sabihing opisyal na miyembro o Team Pacquiao ka. At kahit na Team Pacquiao ka, hindi mo dapat ipagsabi na ikaw ay miyembro ng Team Pacquiao dahil nagagamit ang pangalan ko sa labas ng boxing. Isa ay nagsasabi na siya ang aking physical therapist at isa naman ay “all around” helper. Sila ang kumontak sa mga kinatawan ng print at TV media na walang pahintulot sa akin, kahit na ginawa ko na ang dapat kong gawin gaya ng pag-report sa pulis at pakikiugnay sa mga kinatawan ng bangko. Para naman sa mga iresponsableng miyembro ng media, na ang iba ay nagsulat na wala man lang pinanghahawakang mga opisyal na papeles at nagsulat lang dahil sa narinig nilang second-hand na impormasyon, sana ay tigilan na ninyo ang paglagay ng impormasyon na walang basehan. Hindi rin ako magpapaunlak na ma-interview ako dahil nasa kinaukulang kamay na ang kasong ito. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng mga impormasyon na lalabas sa media ay hindi official. May isa pang journalist na nagpahiwatig na baka hindi ako ang nagsusulat ng column na ito, isang bagay na lubos kong kinaiinisan. Mababa po ba ang tingin ninyo sa aking kakayahan? Sa tingin ninyo, ako pa rin po ba iyong 16-year old na boxer na kinokober ninyo noon, iyong walang kamuwang-muwang sa mundo at hindi marunong gumamit ng laptop o magsulat? Naiintindihan ko na sa kabila ng aking pagsisikap at pagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa at higit sa lahat ay kasiyahan sa mga kababayan ko, ay hindi lahat ay natutuwa. Bakit kaya ganito ang tao? Gusto kong malaman ang mga kasagutan sa mga bagay na iyan. Kung gusto po ninyo akong manalo sa laban na ito, sana ay magkaisa tayo, gaya ng kagustuhan kong magkaisa tayo bilang iisang bansa at iisang sambayanang Pilipino na mananalo sa itaas ng entablado at tanghaling World Champion sa kahit na anong larangan ng sports o sa larangan ng buhay. Hanggang sa susunod na Kumbinasyon! Thank you and more power

INTERVIEW: FREDDIE ROACH

Top notch fight trainer Freddie Roach sat down with Boxingtalk and gave us a thorough Manny Pacquiao camp update. Roach tells Boxingtalk that Manny will go for the knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez. Roach also addresses Manny's current weight of 139 pounds, and says that it's nothing to be worried about. Additionally, Roach talks about how he will be training Bernard Hopkins in preprartion for Hopkins' bout against Joe Calzaghe.Boxingtalk – Thanks for joining us Freddie. Manny Pacquiao is gearing up for his big rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez in March. Talk about how camp is going so far.Freddie Roach – He's doing very well. I have been running with him in the morning, well... I have been running behind him in the morning, (laughs), and I can't keep up with him. I haven't seen him this excited since the first time that he fought [Marco Antonio]Barrera. We have 4 weeks to go, and he's looking very good. We had 9 rounds of sparring on Saturday, and we used 3 sparring partners. I have a strong guy to press Manny, I got a counter puncher, and I got a guy that will run, all to give Manny different looks. We know the keys to victory, and we'll show you what they are on fight night.BT – Which Marquez do you think will show up, the aggressive style or the counter puncher?FR – I think he will fight more of a counter punching style. I don't see him capable of doing that though, the first fight with Manny took something out of him. The best fight that I ever seen Marquez in was against Pacquiao, and he'll need to fight like that again.BT – Do you think that it's possible that Marquez may have a little more pressure on his back this time? Usually it's Manny having his entire nation on his shoulders. Marquez is the only active Mexican legend that Manny hasn't beat. Do you think it's possible that Marquez wants this more for his Mexican fans?FR – He might, but the thing is I think that people try to make this into a racial thing between Mexico and The Philippines. Manny loves everybody, he has Mexican fans too. Manny is more of a typical Mexican style of fighter than Marquez ever thought of being. Marquez is not a typical Mexican style fighter, he doesn't fight in the fashion that the Mexican fans like. I'll even say that I think Manny has more Mexican fans than Marquez does.BT – Come on Freddie, do you really think that?FR – Yea, it's just Manny's style. If Marquez ever fought back in the day, the Mexican fans would have booed him out of the place. They like the style of Julio Cesar Chavez, that's what Mexicans like. They like warriors like Manny Pacquiao.BT – I think you should come out with a Mexican flag shirt on then Freddie (laughs).FR – (Laughs), They might shoot me.BT – Floyd Mayweather once wore it. He loves Mexico.FR – He wants the Mexican fans too, but he doesn't have the style that they like.BT – What's the biggest difference in Manny's game this time around, as opposed to the last time he fought Marquez?FR – Manny is a more balanced fighter right now. We had great success in the early rounds in our last fight, then Marquez came back. But now, Manny knows how to adjust better. If Manny gets Marquez down this time, he'll keep him down.BT – Will Manny knockout Marquez?FR – We are going for the knockout. We have all intentions of knocking him out. After Manny's last two fights, we need to fight a great fight. We are moving up in weight and going for those titles after this fight. BT – Nick Giongco reported that Manny was 140 pounds, can you elaborate on that some?FR – We need to lose 9 lbs with a month to go, so no problem at all. He's eating good, he's running good, his discipline is good. Manny is very focused, so don't worry, we are not going to wait for the last minute to make weight, that's for sure.BT – How's sparring going so far?FR – I have a lot of sparring partners for Manny, and it's working out good. I have a new guy that comes in tomorrow, I'm told he's a clone of Marquez. I am anxious to see him. BT – Are you any closer to finalizing a deal with Bernard Hopkins?FR – Yes, Bernard will be in camp on February 20th. BT – So it's a done deal?FR – Yep, Bernard's people informed me that he'll be in camp February 20th with me.BT – Manny fights on March 12th, are there any concerns from Pacquiao's people with Bernard being in camp at the same time Manny is?FR – We can work around that. I work a long day, so I'll separate the two guys. When I go to Vegas for Manny's fight, Bernard is coming with me. BT – Interesting match up with Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Calzaghe. How do you see this fight playing out?FR – Well Bernard will have to fight a very strategic fight. If Calzaghe can keep that work rate up like he usually does, that can be effective. Bernard is a real smart fighter, and he knows how to take things away from his opponent, especially against an offensive minded guy like Calzaghe. Bernard will try to set him up into traps. There's nothing Bernard hasn't seen, but this is going to be a tough, tough, fight. Bernard knows himself, so we'll come up with a good game plan. Bernard probably knows more about boxing than the both of us.BT – Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?FR – Thanks to all of Manny's fans, and to the Mexican fans. Manny is very focused for this fight, and we are going to fight a smart fight. We are going for the knockout. I am sure Marquez is in great shape, and he better be.

Roach: No problem with Manny’s weight

Manny Pacquiao is going for a knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez.
But first, he’s got to make weight.
Freddie Roach, the trainer, said Sunday in Los Angeles that Pacquiao could and should accomplish both.
Roach told boxingtalk.com that he sees no problem with the Filipino boxer making the 130 lbs even if he’s still nine pounds over the limit with less than four weeks left before the fight.
“Nine pounds (139) with a month to go. No problem. We won’t be needing the last minute to make weight,” Roach said in an interview posted by boxing chronicler Brad Cooney.
Roach said Pacquiao is doing great in training as they head toward the last few weeks before the anticipated March 15 rematch at the 12,000-seat Events Center of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“He’s eating good. He’s running good. He’s very focused,” said Roach, who expects Marquez, the reigning WBC super-featherweight champion from Mexico, to be at his peak, too.
“I’m sure Marquez is in great shape because he better be,” said Roach, adding that the 2004 draw between the two fighters, and the next one should be “a hard fight for both.”
Roach added, “We have a good four weeks to go. We’re just trying to cover all bases.”
And a knockout?
Roach said Manny is going for it.
While Pacquiao’s weight is turning out to be a weighty issue, as weighty as when he fought Marco Antonio Barrera last October, Marquez weight is definitely in check.
The 34-year-old champion was weighed in Mexico last week at 132.38 lbs with still four weeks left in training. He skips a couple of meals and he’s inside the super-featherweight limit.
By this time, Pacquiao should have a weighing scale in his bedside.

Marquez seven pounds lighter than Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao sounded a bit surprised on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) when told that Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez was down to just 133 lbs when the World Boxing Council (WBC) conducted a 30-day weight check of the two protagonists for their Las Vegas rematch scheduled next month.
"133?" Pacquiao asked during an overseas call yesterday.
Pacquiao and Marquez should not weigh more than 130 lbs when the official weighin is held on the eve of their scheduled 12-round clash at the Mandalay Bay and when representatives from the Mexico City-based WBC paid a visit to both fighters last Thursday, the two complied with the governing body’s regulation that they should not exceed 143 lbs.
Pacquiao’s weight was recorded at 140 lbs, while Marquez was seven lbs lighter, a clear indication according to the Mexican media that the 34-year-old WBC super-featherweight titlist, is indeed right on track in his training schedule.
The WBC sent ratings committee secretary Luis Medina to check on Marquez at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City and a smiling Marquez, without his shirt, even flashed the No. 1 sign with his left hand.
But Pacquiao said he and Freddie Roach are not rushing things and there is no reason to be worried since they still have yet to reach the peak of their training.
"Besides, I was clothed when I stepped on the scales," said Pacquiao, a few hours after nine rounds of sparring with three fighters at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
The 29-year-old Pacquiao said he will likely go 10 full rounds or more of sparring "sometime this week" in the hope of losing unwanted poundage.
In his last fight against Marco Antonio Barrera last October, Pacquiao also struggled to make the 130-lb limit, but in the end, he managed to get the job done.
With just 26 days left before they both step on the official scales, Team Pacquiao remains confident it can hit its target.

'Nananatili Tayong Naka-Focus Sa Pagkuha Ng Marami Pang Karangalan'

LOS ANGELES — Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat! I hope everyone is doing well. Habang sinusulat ko po itong column na ito, naigawad na kahapon ng Philippine Sportswriters Association ang prestihiyosong President’s Award upang i-recognize ulit ang mga karangalang aking nakamit nitong nagdaang taon. Maraming salamat po ulit! Natanggap ko po ang Athlete of the Year award noong 2002, 2003, 2004 at 2006 at ngayong taon, ang President’s Award naman. Masaya ko itong tinatanggap at kahit na wala ako upang personal na tanggapin ang award, lubos akong nasisiyahan sa mga sports writers na bumubuo ng PSA dahil sa pagbibigay sa akin nitong award. Sa March 25, ako naman ay tatanggap din ng Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Hall of Fame Award. Daghang salamat din po! Kayo po ang nagbibigay sa akin ng inspirasyon upang lalo kong pag-ibayuhin ang paghahanda at pagkamit ng mas malalaking bagay sa mundo ng boxing. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit si Manny Pacquiao ay nananatiling naka-focus sa pagkuha ng marami pang karangalan. Kayo po ang dahilan upang ako ay tumanaw muli sa aking pinanggalingan at manatiling humble. Binabati ko ang mga kapwa atleta na nakakuha ng award, hindi lamang sila Nonito Donaire Jr. na kapwa ko boxer at Miguel Molina, isang swimmer. Binabati ko at kino-congratulate din ang lahat ng mga atleta, iyong mga taong hindi man nakatanggap ng award pero nagsikap upang mahigitan ang kanilang kakayahan upang manalo. Sabi nga nila, hindi nasusukat ang tagumpay sa gintong natamo kundi sa pagbibigay at pagbubuhos ng 100 percent sa insayo at sa kumpetisyon. Sa pagbibigay ng PSA sa akin ng award at sa pagsama nila sa akin sa entablado ng mga kapwa kampeon ng bansa, pinapangako kong ibubuhos ko ang lahat ng aking lakas upang bigyan kayo ng lubos na kaligayahan upang makopo ko ang titulo ng WBC super-featherweight division kontra Juan Manuel Marquez sa March 15. Sa pamilya ni Flash Elorde, isa pong karangalan na makuha ko muli ang isang award. Inilagay nila ako sa Hall of Fame pero nasa kalagitnaan pa lang ako ng aking career. Anyway, I cherish this award like the first ones you gave me. I will strive to achieve more honors for the country like what Da Flash did in his time. I am inspired by his exploits and I still dream to match his achievements in the near future. More power po sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa Muling Kumbinasyon! Mabuhay Tayong Lahat.

‘Only Manny can beat Manny’

The only way Manny Pacquiao will lose to Juan Manuel Marquez in their scheduled 12-round WBC superfeatherweight title fight in Las Vegas on March 15 is if he beats himself.
That’s the assessment of two close associates in Team Pacquiao, dismissing the possibility of the Mexican scoring an upset on his merits.
“Distraction is the only thing that will beat Manny and that’s not going to happen,” said one of the associates in Los Angeles. “In my four years of staying close to Manny, I haven’t seen him as focused in training and as determined to win.”
The same source confirmed that Pacquiao is “a changed man” and “rejuvenated.”
“His training is proceeding according to plan and Freddie (Roach) has even had to hold him back because Manny wants to do more than he’s programmed to do in a day in the gym,” said the source.
“He’s in a great mood. He jokes around the guys. You don’t see him down. He wakes up early and sleeps early. He eats right and burns what he eats so weight isn’t a problem. He’s now about 136 pounds. When he leaves for Las Vegas a week before the fight, he’ll be around 133. He’ll show up for the weigh-in less than 130. Unlike in the (Marco Antonio) Barrera fight where he had difficulty making the weight, this time, he’s on target. At the moment, he’s close to 80 percent from peak condition. He’ll be at his peak when he fights Marquez.”
Pacquiao logs anywhere between 29 to 32 rounds of combined sparring, bagging, punching mitts, shadow-boxing and keeping rhythm with a speedball every day at the Wild Card Gym. He also does roadwork in the morning.
At night, Pacquiao just relaxes in his apartment at the Palazzo and watches DVDs. The movies he’s seen lately were “Catch Me If You Can” “The Fantastic Four” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.” It’s lights out by 10 p.m. for Pacquiao each night.
“Freddie can’t keep up with Manny,” said the other associate who monitors Pacquiao’s training progress. “Freddie used a brand-new set of mitts when Manny started training. Now, the mitts are so banged up that Freddie has to buy a new pair. Manny always wants to do extra rounds. We heard Marquez is running 10 miles a day and started training a month ahead but no one can match Manny’s intensity in the gym.”
The source said what piqued Pacquiao was Marquez’ boast during their press conference last month. Marquez said he’ll prove Pacquiao is no Mexican assassin by knocking him out.
“Manny just smiled when he heard Marquez brag,” said the source. “But he later told me he didn’t like what Marquez said. If Marquez got up from three knockdowns in their first fight, Manny promised he won’t get up this time.”
The source said Pacquiao knows what’s at stake in the fight and that’s why he’s so focused.
“Manny can’t afford to lose because he knows what (Bob) Arum has lined up for him,” said the source. “After beating Marquez, he’ll go for the WBC lightweight title against (David) Diaz then before the year ends, he’ll stand to earn about $30 million for fighting Ricky Hatton. Marquez is a stepping stone for bigger things. Manny knows he’ll have to get past Marquez before fighting Diaz and Hatton.”Page: 1 -->

PACMAN CAME THROUGH MEDICAL EXAMS WITH FLYING COLORS

Los Angeles, CA -- As per the requirements of the WBC, fighters involved in title fights must pass a routine physical and weight check 4 weeks before fight day. For the Pacquiao-Marquez bout which is slated at 130 pounds, both Pacquiao and Marquez should not weight more than 140 pounds a month before the fight. Today, in the company of his brother Bobby Pacquiao, trainer Boboy Fernandez, boxer Ernel Fontanilla and PR man Winchell Campos, the Pacman drove to San Pedro, California an LA suburb some 40 miles south of downtown LA, to keep an appointment with Dr. Gluckman and undergo a routine physical exams and more importantly, a weight check. Needless to say, the Pacman as well as Bobby Pacquiao who is slated to fight two days prior to the Pacquiao-Marquez fight at the Hard Rock Resort Casino in Las Vegas, passed the required physical exams with flying colors. “Walang problema sa timbang and healthwise, Manny is in excellent shape”, (there is no weight problem and he is in good health) Campos informed this writer. Taking a trip to San Pedro for the physical checkup did not bode well with Pacquiao because he wants to keep his training schedule uninterrupted. But being the professional that he is, he knows that there are certain requirements to be kept as part of the whole fight scene. One of the requirements is the physical exams and weight check. Thus Pacquiao took the trip to San Pedro. Tomorrow, training resumes as usual. Being a Thursday, sparring is on schedule. No doubt, the Pacman will again be exchanging leathers with three very good Latino fighters to continue to sharpen his skills and practice the battle plan for March 15t. As usual, the Wildcard Gym will again be empty of non-essential personnel, particularly kibitzers and boxing fans as the Pacman trains. At three o’clock however, fans will be allowed a few minutes to rub elbows with Pacquiao, pose for some souvenir photos and get autographs. Then Pacquiao is off to the Thai restaurant next door for some quick late lunch and then return to his condo for the much needed rest to end his day.

Stay Put, Manny Pacquiao!

Among boxing’s little men, Manny Pacquiao has proven himself an irresistible force. South of the welterweight division, Pacquiao is the biggest name and biggest draw in the sport. The Pacman has his name dropped nearly as much as Paris Hilton, ironically also by men who want a piece of him, although under different circumstances entirely. But I digress…
Pacquiao’s success has him constantly eyeing the next step in furthering his growing iconic status. In recent months, murmurs of his desire to test the waters in the lightweight division have grown louder and louder. Even as he prepares for a superfight with Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao is entertaining options for his next fight, purportedly against 135-pound titlist David Diaz.
While the obvious and immediate concern is his overlooking the extremely dangerous Marquez, the bottom line is that a move to 135 would be a terribly unwise decision by Pacquiao and his handlers. One look at the lightweight terrain reveals a tough row to hoe for Pacquiao, despite his dominance at 126 and 130. For a fighter who started his career at 108 pounds, the Manny Pacquiao march to greatness will eventually meet its Waterloo; the guess here is that it will happen at lightweight.
For our purposes, I will examine Pacquiao’s options at lightweight from a simple risk/reward ratio. Simply put, does the reward for Pacquiao warrant the risk he assumes in each of these matchups? This is a question I will try to answer, and is one that the Pacquiao camp needs to ponder deeply before catapulting their man north to 135.Pacquiao vs. David Diaz: The man likely to be Pacquiao’s first opponent at lightweight will be the first to be subjected to my analysis. Chicago native David Diaz, (33-1, 17 KOs), was likely chosen for two reasons: he is not a particularly big puncher, and Erik Morales was highly competitive against him. Before a Pacquiao win seems like a foregone conclusion, it is important to remember some important details about David Diaz. First, he has fought as high as welterweight, making him the naturally bigger, stronger man. Diaz’ only loss came at 140 pounds to top contender Kendall Holt.
As for the loss to Morales, one could easily point to the old adage that styles make fights. As shown against Holt, Diaz is susceptible to boxer-punchers who can counter the openings he leaves. Morales falls into the category of sharpshooter much more so than Pacquiao, who has never possessed the patience to be much of a counter puncher. Thus, it is difficult to assume that plugging Pacquiao in for Morales automatically results in victory.
What this all boils down to is something far from a Pacquiao wipeout. Essentially, it’s an even fight, but certainly one that Pacquiao could win, and is almost guaranteed to be an entertaining fight. So why, you may ask, should Pacquiao be discouraged from taking such a bout? It’s simple: the risk/reward ratio makes little sense for Pacquiao. He stands to lose far more in defeat than he can gain in winning. Let’s assume for a moment that he defeats David Diaz. So what? He wins a lightweight title from an anonymous champion. David Diaz is far from the cream of the lightweight crop; it seems illogical for Pacquiao to risk his legacy in such an insignificant fight. Let’s imagine, then, that Pacquiao loses to David Diaz. The move to lightweight experiment would immediately be proven a failure, and the Pacman would be forced to return to 130, now with a bit of tarnish on his once-sterling reputation. Waterloo, indeed.Pacquiao vs. Joel Casamayor: It seems surprising that the 36-year old Casamayor is not atop the list of ideal fights at lightweight for Pacquiao. The aging champion looked particularly vulnerable in his highly controversial win over Jose Armando Santa Cruz. Along with his apparently eroding skills, Casamayor’s size should also be appealing to Pacquiao. A former 130-pound champion himself, Casamayor, (35-3, 21 KOs), has had to fight as the smaller man against many of his lightweight foes. This would seem to be a far better match for Pacquiao than the aforementioned fight with David Diaz.
This appears to be far more advantageous to Pacquiao in the sense of risk/reward. If he wins, he has a huge, albeit faded, name on his résumé, and he defeats the fighter who is technically still the lightweight champion.
However, even a fight with an old Joel Casamayor would be no cakewalk. As easy as it is to picture a busier Pacquiao outhustling his aging foe, it is just as simple to envision the crafty Casamayor summoning the guile to grab, wrestle, and foul his way to an ugly win, as he has in many of his recent fights. Pacquiao hasn’t had to deal with too many mugging fights in his career, and it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine him getting extremely frustrated against someone as unashamedly dirty as Casamayor.
Does this fight make sense to Pacquiao? Probably much more sense than the David Diaz fight, but Pacquiao should expect no walk in the park against Casamayor. Except maybe Central Park…at night.Pacquiao vs. Juan Diaz: The biggest, most exciting fight available to Manny Pacquiao at 135 pounds is against the division’s newest kingpin, Juan Diaz, (33-0, 17 KOs). A very big lightweight, what Diaz lacks in physique and punching power, he more than makes up for in aggression, commitment, and tenacity. Just ask Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz, both world-class lightweights whom Juan Diaz pummeled into submission in a sensational 2007.
While this is a fight that many fans have been clamoring for, it is a horrible style matchup for Pacquiao. Juan Diaz is too big, too strong, and too aggressive for the significantly smaller Pacquiao to handle. One of the best pressure fighters to come along in years, Diaz almost never takes a backward step. Against Freitas and Julio Diaz, both of whom possessed solid power at lightweight, Juan Diaz was unfazed. It is doubtful that a blown-up featherweight like Pacquiao could come up with anything to dissuade the forward-marching onslaught of Diaz. If Pacquiao is unable to hurt Diaz, he will have to win using sound boxing and movement. The problem for Pacquiao is that much more capable boxers have experienced miserable failure when trying to create distance against Diaz. He simply doesn’t allow his opponents to breathe. It is hard to picture Pacquiao playing the part of Willie Pep to Diaz’s Sandy Saddler. This one would end very badly for Manny.The Conclusion: The goal here is not to diminish Manny Pacquiao as a fighter, or to suggest that he cannot win at lightweight. In fact, he has an excellent chance to defeat two of the fighters listed earlier. The bottom line of this argument is that Manny Pacquiao has nothing to prove or gain by going up to lightweight, especially with the many intriguing fights that are available to him at junior lightweight. Let’s not forget about a fighter who could end all this lightweight talk on March 15, a highly-motivated Juan Manuel Marquez.
Even if Pacquiao is able to best Marquez, other big names still loom at 130. A fight with knockout sensation Edwin Valero could go down as Fight of the Decade, and would likely break records if held in Asia. Other legitimate contenders include Humberto Soto, Joan Guzman, and Jorge Barrios. Pacquiao has far from cleaned out the division, and it would be to the benefit of his legacy to do so. Until he resolves unfinished business at junior lightweight, it would be inappropriate to consider moving north to hunt bigger game.
It is now, when Pacquiao is in his prime and at the top of the boxing world, that he and his handlers need to make wise decisions to ensure his career continues to navigate through smooth waters. Pacquiao now finds himself in the type of critical situation when the choices he makes could decide whether he is forever remembered as a very good fighter or a truly great fighter.

Huwag Kayong Mabahala (M. Pacquiao)

LOS ANGELES -- Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. Umaabot na po sa 31 rounds ang bilang ng aking sparring at nitong Martes, nakaharap ko ang tatlong boksingero na naghati-hati upang kumpletuhin ang walong rounds ng sparring. Nakaharap ko sila Rey Beltran, David Rodela at Daniel Cervantes sa magkakasunod na pagkakataon. Masaya naman po at kuntento ang aking coaching staff na sina Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez at Nonoy Neri sa aking ikinikilos sa ring at tuloy pa rin ang aming paghahanda sa laban sa March 15 kontra kay Juan Manuel Marquez. "Everything is absolutely fine and everything is definitely under control." 'Yan lang ang aking masasabi. Kaya huwag po kayong mabahala. Marahil ay marami na sa inyo ang nakarinig o nakabasa na sa bali-balitang nawalan ako ng malaking halaga bunga ng pagkaka-forge ng aking pirma sa bangko. Marami na ring mga lumabas na sanga-sangang report mula sa mga pahayagan at mga manunulat na gustong ungkatin at mag-ungkat ng inpormasyon tungkol sa diumanong naganap na pangyayari. Iyong ibang detalye, hindi accurate dahil hindi naman galing sa official na sources ang kanilang report. Isa lang po ang aking sasabihin tungkol sa bagay na iyan. Sana ay huwag nang makialam ang mga taong wala namang kinalaman sa bagay na ito. Itinuturing kong isang personal na problema ito at sana, respetuhin ng lahat ang isang private matter. Nasa kamay na po ng kinauukulan ang problema at ipinapaubaya ko na rin sa Dakilang Hukom ang suliraning ito, na sa aking palagay ay mabibigyang kalutasan sa lalong madaling panahon. Tigilan na po natin ang malalaswang haka-haka at mga agam-agam tungkol dito sa kasong ito. Ako po ay hindi na magbabanggit ng kahit na anong pangalan dahil wala akong intention na pahiyain sa publiko ang nasasakdal o mga nasasakdal. Naniniwala po ako sa hustisya at batas ng Diyos at ng tao at lahat po tayo ay dapat lamang na humarap sa ating mga pagkakamali. Maaaring di tayo perpekto pero tayo pa rin ay sumasailalim sa mga batas at alituntunin na siyang magtutuwid sa landas na baliko. May batas ang liwanag na gagabay sa atin upang hindi tayo mamuhay sa dilim. Kung sino man ang may sala o mga nagkasala, dapat lang silang humarap sa mga batas at sa gawaran ng kaparusahan na kalakip nito. Bago pa pumutok itong iskandalo na ito, ako po ay nakapagpatawad na. Mahirap man para sa iba ang magbigay ng kapatawaran, ako po ay madaling magpatawad. Wala na po akong magagawa dahil hindi lang naman po ako ang naloko dito. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, hindi ko po papabayaan ang aking responsibilidad sa aking pamilya at sa sambayanang Pilipino. Maliit na bagay itong pangyayaring ito kung iisipin. Hindi ko po hahayaang makakaapekto ito sa aking pag-iisip at pangangatawan dahil kayo pong lahat ay aking inspirasyon at bawat pangarap ninyo ay aking pinapasan sa aking balikat. Hindi ko pababayaan na dahil lamang sa bagay na ito, ang lahat ng inyong panalangin ay mauuwi lamang sa wala o sa kabiguan. Dito po ninyo ako masusubok, sa mga pagkakataong ganito. Sinasabi nila na ang apoy ang sumusubok sa tunay na kalidad ng bakal, na apoy ang ginagamit sa pagpapanday ng matalas na sibat. Ako po si Manny Pacquiao, hinubog ng panahon. Marami na po akong pinagdaanan sa buhay at sa huli, sama-sama tayong magtatagumpay. Hanggang sa muling Kumbinasyon. Have a nice day!

Pacquiao, Marquez trade soundbites

WITH less than five weeks before the most awaited rematch of the top two boxers in the super featherweight category Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and World Boxing Council super featherweight titleholder Juan Manuel Marquez engaged in a slight exchange of words this week. Recently from his training camp in Mexico, Marquez told Paquiao to “Get ready and be prepared” and added that “It’s going to be a different Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15.” Pacquiao answered and said the Mexican should also train very hard”. The Filipino superstar is also happy to hear that his opponent is serious in their upcoming 12-round rematch in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas dubbed “Unfinished Business”. “It’s good to hear that he’s training hard because that only means that we are going to be in tip-top condition on fight night,” said Pacquiao in a report posted at fightnews.com. The Mexican champion is not thinking of hanging his gloves for good and is confident that he will come out of this fight still the WBC super featherweight champion. “I am not thinking about losing and even retirement. It’s not even on my mind. I am going to win this fight” said Marquez. The 34-year-old is sparring daily with Nicaraguan Eusebio Osejo, Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez and Japanese super lightweight Norio Kimura, who used to be Erik “El Terrible” Morales’ sparring partner. (EKA)

a tribute for manny pacquiao

Fit Pacquiao ready for WBC weigh-in

After another hard day’s work Monday in Los Angeles, Manny Pacquiao said he’s all set for the WBC-mandated weigh-in 30 days before his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.
“I feel okay. My weight is fine. No problem,” said Pacquiao over the phone as he waited for dinner to be served in his La Palazzo apartment following his training at the Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao said the WBC weigh-in might take place Thursday in Los Angeles, while Marquez will be weighed in Mexico. Both fighters should weigh no more than 142 lbs 30 days before the rematch.
This is being done so the WBC can monitor the progress of each boxer, and that they are not forced to lose too much weight, in this case 12 pounds, with only one month remaining.
“I’m right on it,” he said of the limit.
But Pacquiao refused to say how much he exactly weighs right now, or barely one month since he started training in Los Angeles for the big fight scheduled March 15 in Las Vegas.
Latest reports regarding his weight, and it came two weeks ago, said he’s somewhere near 138 lbs.
Pacquiao had difficulty making 130 lbs against Marco Antonio Barrera last October. But though he made it and won the fight, it seems that this will be his last fight as a super-featherweight.
Pacquiao, however, assured that there’s nothing to worry about.
“Our training is going on smoothly. We are not hurrying things up. I’m taking this fight very seriously,” said the 29-year-old megastar who spars Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Pacquiao said he’s never skipped a day in training since Jan. 16, except on Sundays where he normally runs in the morning, then goes to church and spends the rest of the day in his $4,000-a-month apartment.
“It’s always been 30 rounds a day when I don’t spar,” he said, counting every three minutes spent on the mitts with Freddie Roach, speed ball, heavy bag, double-end bag, ropes and shadow boxing.

Weight problem a thing of the past – Pacquiao

MAKING the superfeatherweight limit of 130 lbs is expected to be a breeze this time for Manny Pacquiao.
Unlike last year when he experienced difficulties getting rid of excess baggage, Pacquiao assured his fans and followers that he will easily make the weight on the eve of his March 15 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, who makes the second defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) crown at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
"I am right on it," said Pacquiao in Pilipino yesterday after another round of intense training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
A representative from the Mexico-based WBC will visit the Wild Card on Thursday to check if Pacquiao’s weight is being monitored as per the governing body’s rules that Pacquiao and Marquez should not weigh more than 142 lbs one month before the scheduled 12-rounder.
Marquez will also be subjected to the same procedure sometime this week when a WBC representative drops by at the Romanza Gym where he has been sweating it out since December.
Seven or 10 days before the fight, the WBC will again come and visit the two boxers to check if their weights are within the allowable margin, a rule that prevents the fighters to lose so much weight in such short a time.
Pacquiao spars thrice a week and whenever he doesn’t he trades bombs, he logs an average of 30 rounds hitting the mitts, shadowboxing, striking the heavy bag, double-end bag and speedball and engaging in calisthenics as well as skipping rope.
Pacquiao, 29, said his training is right on track as he and trainer Freddie Roach are carefully mapping out their daily program.
"There’s no need to rush things because I did not report for training late. I came in at the right time," said Pacquiao, who admits that this is the first time in quite a while that he decided to spend all eight weeks under Roach’s supervision.
Pacquiao showed up for training on Jan. 16.
In his last fight against Marco Antonio Barrera, Pacquiao had to take off a couple of pounds a few hours before the afternoon weigh-in.
Pacquiao has a history of weight problems although the most noteworthy ones happened when he was still in the flyweight class of 112 lbs, long before he invaded US shores.
Pacquiao was knocked out cold by Filipino journeyman Rustico Torrecampo in 1996 after he was compelled to use a pair of bigger gloves for failing to make the 112-lb limit. Tragedy struck anew in 1999 when he could not make 112 in the second defense of the WBC fly title against Medgoen 3K Battery in Thailand and Pacquiao lost the title on the scales.
With Pacquiao and Roach and key members of his team aware of what happened in the Barrera bout, they are all optimistic that there won’t be a repeat of the incident in about a month’s time.

PACQUIAO'S WEIGHT IN CHECK

After 12 brutal rounds of shoving Marco Antonio Barrera into semi-retirement, superstar Manny Pacquiao took a hard-earned break. It's well-documented what he did last season: He spent time with the family, finished a movie, took care of a plethora of endrosement obligations; and wallowed in a little bit of rest and recreation. Naturally, the time off from training allowed for some excess pounds to grow. The pictures, after all, do not lie. But the issue on Pacquiao's excess weight is ridiculously overblown. "Manny wil be fine," nutritionist Nonoy Neri told this reporter via long distance telephone interview. "We've heard those concerns before, during the Barrera rematch last year, and Manny was able to come out okay." To the uninitiated, Manny had some problems making weight against Barrera last Oct. 16, a concern that fueld speculation about the Pinoy slugger's possible rise to the 135-pound weight division. And though he looked quite spent after finally making the 130-pound limit against Barrera, Manny came out firing the following day, pummelling Barrera from pilar to post to score an emphatic unanimous decision triumph. Against a stellar foe in Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao is determined to avoid those weight blues that have sapped a little bit of his energy and firepower. He is currently in the thick of a brutal regimen under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym. Besides hitting the road early and often, Manny is begining to spar with chosen combatants. Slowly but surely, he is melting the unwanted pounds. As always, Manny is watching what he eats. Neri and Jeff DeGuzman, Manny's personal physical therapist, is also keeping an eye on Manny's intake and training, helping assure that those scales won't be hindrance once weighing day arrives. Manny understands all the worry about his upcoming skirmish with Marquez. But his handlers deflect those worries like flies against a sturdy windshield. "Manny always takes care of business," reminds Neri. Yes, indeed. And based on Pacquiao's body of work. That is indisputable.

Mahalaga Ang Buhay (M pacquiao)

LOS ANGELES -- Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. Patindi na nang patindi ang ginagawa naming paghahanda para sa susunod kong laban kontra kay Juan Manuel Marquez sa March 15. Limang linggo na lang at bakbakan na! Itong laban na ito ang isa sa mga pinakamahalaga para sa aking career dahil malaki ang nakatayang karangalan dito, bukod pa sa koronang tangan ng Mexicano na pilit kong inaasam na makamit. Dahil nagtabla kami noong una kaming nagkaharap, importante sa akin na tapusin sa isang panalo ang "Unfinished Business" namin na gaganapin sa Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel sa Las Vegas, Nevada. Lahat ng bagay na kinakailangan ay aking ginagawa upang matiyak ang tagumpay. Itinataya ko ang aking buhay sa bawat pag-akyat ko sa ring dahil ganito talaga ang buhay ng isang boksingero. Sumasabak kaming mga boksingero upang harapin ang matinding panganib sa bawat pagkakataon. Sa sparring, tinatanggap namin ang matitinding suntok ng kaispar at kapag hindi ka naging maingat, malapit ka sa injury o sugat. Sa isang malaking pagkakamali, maaaring mapunta sa panganib ang iyong buhay at kalusugan. Minsan, ang kapansanan ay nagiging permanent kung ikaw ay mapupuruhan. Masakit mang aminin, ang trabaho kong ito ang isa sa mga pinakamapanganib, kung ikukumpara sa anumang trabaho. Iilan lang na mga boksingero ang pinapalad na maging kampeon. Iilan din ang mga nagiging dalubhasa sa boksing. Tinuturo sa iyo ang pag-ilag at pagsalag sa mga suntok. Kailangan mo rin iwasan na ikaw ay makakatanggap ng malalakas na tama lalung-lalo na sa ulo at katawan habang nagbibitaw ka rin ng sarili mong suntok sa kalaban. Nabalitaan ko mula dito sa aming training camp sa Los Angeles ang pagkamatay ng isang Pilipinong boksingero na si Alex Aroy. Hindi ko man siya nakita at nakilala ay nalulungkot din ako dahil isa siyang miyembro ng aming maliit na komunidad. Si Aroy ay sinamang-palad at pumanaw na sa mundo. Wala na rin tayong magagawa upang maibalik ang kaniyang buhay. Ayon sa mga balitang aking nakalap, nahirapan sa pag-ihi si Aroy matapos siyang matalo sa laban. Hinihintay pa ang autopsy report kung ano talaga ang sanhi ng pagpanaw niya. Nakikiramay po ako sa mga naulila ni Alex. Walang tao ang gustong masaktan o tumanggap ng parusa sa ring. Iilan lang ang mga boksingerong nakakapag-retire na malusog at ito ang mga mapapalad. Marami sa amin ang nalimot na ng panahon. Marami ang tumatanda at napipilitan na lang na isabit ang gloves at maghanap ng trabaho kung saan man mapadpad. Ganyan ang mapait na sinasapit ng mga kagaya kong boxer. Minsan, kahit na iyong mga dating kampeon ay namumuhay din sa kahirapan matapos malasap ang tagumpay at kaunting yaman. Iba-iba ang aming kwento, iba-iba ang aming sinapit. Nakakapag-isip din ako sa mga ganitong nangyayari sa buhay. Dahil sa mga ganitong pangyayari, nakukuha kong isipin na ang buhay ay mahalaga, na bawat magandang pagkakataon ay dapat na tinatanggap at bawat biyaya ay dapat na pinagpapasalamatan at pinag-iingatan. Hanggang sa muling Kumbinasyon!

PACQUIAO’S TRAINING RIGHT ON TARGET

Los Angeles, CA -- Reports coming out of Manila (Giongco-Manila Bulletin) indicated that Juan Manuel Marquez issued an statement warning Pacquiao to “get ready and be prepared.” Judging from what I saw today at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, Marquez himself should be ready and prepared. Otherwise, he will be in for a short evening. Today I was one of the privileged few allowed to witness to the sparring session of Pacquiao with two very good and young Latino fighters who gave Pacquiao a very hard workout. And to top that, I was the only still-photographer allowed to take action shots while Pacquiao was sparring. One particular sparmate, Juanito Garcia of Phoenix, Arizona was very impressive. Admittedly, Garcia is no Marquez. But the young man is not too far off. Responding from instructions coming from his corner, he attacked Pacquiao from all angles, simulating an advancing Juan Manuel Marquez. Garcia’s constant offense gave the Pacquiao team a very good chance to polish up Pacquiao’s defensive strategies. Pacquiao showed an extraordinary speed in ducking Garcia’s punches that seemed to come from all angles. When he wasn’t weaving and ducking, he was blocking the shots with his gloves, shoulders and elbows and then throwing nice counters that seem to land on target more often than not. The session today with his two sparmates appeared to be one dedicated to the enhancement of the different defense strategies formulated thus far. It is no small wonder that Roach and other Team Pacquiao members are limiting access to the gym so that there will be no leaks. With Roach and Boboy Fernandez at the corner giving instructions, Pacquiao seem to be sharpening them up to counter every possible offensive move thrown his way. Although defense was the focus today, there were also some instructions from the corner regarding offense. It would be nice to discuss them too in this article, but that would be pre-empting what Pacquiao will bring to the ring on March 15th. I guess it would be best if we all just wait for fight day to see them… or should I say -- see the new Pacquiao… in offense and defense. And as I mentioned in the beginning of this report, it should be Juan Manuel Marquez who should come ready and prepared. Otherwise, it will be “buenas noches, Juan!”

Pacquiao To Be Given Red Carpet Welcome In National Youth Slugfest

ILOILO CITY – Describing him as a “national hero and model for the youths”, organizers of the 2008 National Open Youth, Women Amateur Boxing Championships to be held here on April 6-12, vowed to provide a red carpet welcome for Manny Pacquiao who will be invited to grace the championship day on April 12. “Because of his status, he will be accorded all the necessary attention given a VIP and a national hero,” vowed amateur boxing organizer Marlon Lumacad, who brought up the idea of inviting the 29-year-old ring superstar in the week-long slugfest in coordination with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP), GMA-7 and Iloilo City Government. Lumacad, 53, said he has already conferred the matter with ABAP secretary general Rogelio Fortaleza and the GMA management here. He said he also had initial talks with Iloilo City sports coordinator Jojo Castro and Councilor Jose Espinosa III, chairman of the Iloilo City Sports Council, regarding the plan to prepare a grand welcome for the most popular athlete in the country today. “Since we are confident that Pacquiao will easily beat (WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel) Marquez on March 15, his presence during the national open will certainly add prestige to the event,” Lumacad stressed. “Just imagine what will the amateur boxers feel if they see Pacquiao personally handing them the gold medals during the championship.” He added that he has gotten the assurance of a big hotel here for the availability of a presidential suit for the boxing icon should he approved the invitation which will be coursed through the Office of the City Mayor, Lumacad said.